Valve-cap



H. W. SAUNDERS.

VALVE CAP.

APPLICATION FILED NIJ/28.1920.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

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@WENT VALVE-CAP.

Application tiled July 28, 1920.

To ZZ yN'zom t may concern Ile it known that I, HARRY W7. SAUNDERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charlotte, in the county of Mecklenburg and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Valve-Caps; and l do hereby declare the following to be a full. clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention .relates to improvements in valve caps, and has for an object to provide an improved cap for the valve stems of the inner tubes of automobile pneumatic tires that may be readily applied and removed, and when in place will effectually prevent the escapeof air. y

Another object of the invention is tol provide a device that will dispense with the usual valve cap and dust cap, and'which will furnish a unitary device combining both of the functions of these devices..

A further object of the invention resides in providing asimple and inexpensive cap of the character above described which will occupyv a small space and will be for all purposes substantially. leak proof.

The invention will be more fully understood after reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are indicated by similar reference symbols throughout the several views, and in which Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view through an improved valve cap constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in an initial position over the valve stem; and

F ig. 2 is a similar view, showing the device in the final position.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved device comprises a cvlinder l, of brass or other suitable metal, or appropriate material, being bent over at one of its ends to provide a head 2 in which is made an opening 3 to receive the eX- teriorly threaded customary valve stem 4. ln accordance with the usual practice a valve cap is threaded upon the reduced upper end 5 of the valve stem, and an additional dust cap is threaded upon the main body portion of the stem et. These two parts now found necessary are dispensed with according' to the present device, and the cylinder l is placed directly over the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov.. 2, 1920.,

Serial No. 399,526.

valve stem 4 in the manner shown in the drawings.

lVithin the cylinder l is a rubber or other compressible or elastic block or gasket 6, having one of its ends resting against the head 2 of the cylinder. lAbove the gasket 6 is a plunger 7 adapted to reciprocate in the cylinder l, and having a hollow central portion 8 adapted to receive the outer end of the valve stem 4. rThe plunger 7 is formed with a screw-threaded shank 9, having threaded engagement with a centrally threaded perforation in a head or nut l0, threaded as indicated atv l1 in' the upper end of the cylinder 1; The shank 9 carries a Winged portion 12 to permit engagement by the hand of the operator.

ln use the device in the condition shown in Fig. l is inserted over the liange stem l and the plunger 7 is thereupon caused to descend into contact with the gasket (3. rlhis is done by rotating the shank 9 which causes it to feed longitudinally through the nut or head 10. After the plunger 7 comes into contact with the upper end of the gasket 6 it will start to compress the gasket. which is restrained at its lower end b v the head 2. The gasket will therefore be confined in all directions except toward the valve stem 4f, so that as a result of the compression said gasket will enter between the threaded outer wall of the valve stem and will effectually seal the same. Any air escaping from the valve stem will be retained in the chamber F4 of the plunger and willbe prgvented from finding egress to the outside atmosphere.

The reverse rotation of the winged portion l2 will cause the plunger to retire away from the gasket 6, 'and by reason of its inherent stress the gasket will return toits normal condition shown in Fig. l. The improved valve cap may thereupon be removed.

lt will be appreciated from the foregoing that l have provided a simple and compact valve cap which will be for all purposes substantially leak proof, and which will dispense with the usual. valve cap and dust cap now employed.

lt will be obvious that various modifications might be made in the herein described apparatus, and in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts which could be used without departing from the spirit of my invention; and l do .not mean to limit the invention to such details except as particularlv set forth in the claims.

aving thus described my invention what ll claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcnt of the United States is 1. An improved valve cap comprising a cylinder having a perforated head at one end, a compressible gasket Within the cylinder engaging said head7 and a movable plunger adapted to come in contact With the opposite end of the gasketand to compress the same, substantially as described.

2. An improved valve cap comprising a cylinder having a head formed in one piecel With one end thereof, said head having an opening to receive a valve stem, a rubber gasket placed in said cylinder and having one end engaged With said head, said gasket having an opening therethrough and adapted to be extended into the threads of the valve stem, a reciprocating plunger in the cylinder adapted to come in contact With the opposite end of said gasket to compress the` menace same, a screw-threaded shankon said plunger, and a head on the other end of the cyl- .inder through which said shank may be to normally freely receive said valve stem,

a plunger in the cylinder having a' hollow central portion to receive the outer end of the valve stem and adapted to come into contact with the other end of Isaid gasket, a threaded shank formed with said plunger, a winged portion on thel outer end of said shank, and a head threaded i-n the other end of lsaid cylinder and having an interiorly threaded opening to receive the threadson said shank, substantially as described.

HARRY W. SAUNDERS. 

